Whitby's public works staff recognized for outstanding achievement

Town beats out other Durham municipalities with highest waste diversion rate

WHITBY -- The Town of Whitby has received the 'Silver Award' from the Recycling Council of Ontario for its waste minimization achievements in 2011.

"It really is the residents' award," said Suzanne Beale, Whitby's commissioner of public works, during the presentation at a council meeting on Jan. 21.

"It's because of the commitment that the residents have."

A total of 46,000 metric tonnes of waste was generated in Whitby that year. Of that, residents diverted 25,000 metric tonnes from landfill, resulting in a 61 per cent diversion rate -- the highest in the region.

The Town also received the Roger Brown Public Works Day Award, provided by the Ontario Public Works Association for municipalities with a population of 150,000 or less that host an event during Public Works Week that exemplifies outstanding performance.

Home-based business study enters third phase

Council approved Town staff's plans to harmonize zoning bylaw provisions for home-based businesses in a 5-1 vote on Monday. Councillor Joe Drumm voted against the plans and Coun. Ken Montague and Tracy Hanson declared conflicts.

The goal of the study is to implement a contemporary definition for the term home-based business and update zoning provisions so they are consistent across the town for a variety of uses. Examples of current home occupations in Whitby include baking or catering operations, registered massage therapy, and music or art instruction.

"Every year, hundreds of Whitby residents ... launch their own home businesses and they enter quite a challenging and potentially rewarding world of entrepreneurship," said Whitby Regional Coun. Lorne Coe.

"If we truly believe in the eight strategic directions that we adopted in the economic development strategy, then I believe that we need to help and establish the right conditions for them to succeed."

In November 2011, council directed staff to undertake a study of zoning regulations relating to home-based businesses. Phase one, involving background research and data collection, and phase two, involving analysis and draft recommendations, have been completed. As the process now enters the third and final phase, a public meeting is expected to be held in late winter or early spring to gather feedback from Whitby residents on the recommended amendments.

Council gets behind second Whitby Ribfest event

Residents can look forward to another mouth-watering event as the Town approves the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise's plans to hold the second annual Whitby Ribfest this summer.

The approval includes the allocation of $10,500 in Whitby's 2013 special events budget to cover the projected costs of municipal services associated with the event. Members of the Rotary club have also been granted an exemption from the Town's noise bylaw to host the event from noon to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 13 and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 14.

Last year's inaugural event drew more than 40,000 people to Victoria Fields July 13 to 15 to enjoy mouth-watering ribs, musical entertainment from local artists and other activities for the whole family.
Reporter Parvaneh Pessian covers the town of Whitby for Metroland Media Group's Durham Region Division